Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Downtown Santa Cruz
Popular places to visit
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Enjoy the exciting rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and see why everyone loves this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.
Mystery Spot
Find out about the history of Santa Cruz when you take a trip to Mystery Spot. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the surfing spots.
Natural Bridges State Park
You can take time to visit Natural Bridges State Park during your travels to Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.
Santa Cruz Wharf
After visiting Santa Cruz Wharf, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the surfing spots.
Ocean Street
During your visit to Santa Cruz, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Ocean Street. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
Pacific Avenue
During your visit to Santa Cruz, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Pacific Avenue. Wander the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area.
Activities
Santa Cruz, California Scavenger Hunt
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Capitola Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour
UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Our pick of the best Downtown Santa Cruz Hotel Deals
Pacific Blue Inn
Perfect location. Staff was really friendly.
Reviewed on 17 Apr 2026
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
The housekeeping staff was excellent.
Reviewed on 17 Apr 2026
Chaminade Resort & Spa
Everything about the property absolutely acceded our standards ! The staff was very nice and helpful with everything and made sure our stay was great ! The pool was very large, the room was very big and had nice views.
Reviewed on 17 Apr 2026
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Our stay was great! Everyone was super kind and welcoming. Great spa experience and stay. I definitely would love to come again.
Reviewed on 17 Apr 2026
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Staff here is very welcoming and rooms are clean and comfortable.
Reviewed on 16 Apr 2026
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Walls are thin - can hear the guests next door blowing their nose, coughing, flushing the toilet, etc. Said they would waive parking if we signed up for a Marriott account, which we did, and then they charged our card anyway. Still trying to get a refund on it.
Reviewed on 16 Apr 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Santa Cruz
Downtown
While visiting Downtown, you might make a stop by sights like Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House.
Lower Ocean
Lower Ocean might not have many top sights, but Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Pacific Avenue are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Beach Hill - Beach Flats
While there might not be top attractions in Beach Hill - Beach Flats, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.
Mission Hill
While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
Westside Santa Cruz
Travellers to Westside Santa Cruz praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Midtown
If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Midtown and surrounding area, you can visit Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Ocean Street.
